S. I. (RedHeadDread) reviewed Spare yourself on 9/22/2008 + 43 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 15

If you like urban fantasy, this book has potential. The premise is interesting, the main character likeable enough. Handeland's writing is choppy, but no worse than many others working in the genre. Unfortunately the book is also loaded with stereotypes, many of them racial. Where to begin? "I raped you because it was your deepest desire?" Check. "Black male character is a basketball player." Check. "White main character must be taught to control her psychic powers by inscrutable but lusty Native American?" Check. "White character cared for by strict but loving older black character who sacrifices herself to give white character the ability to save the world?" Check. "Bad guys have accents?" Check. "Bad guys have harems?" Check. "New York City taxi drivers aren't from NYC and have unpronounceable names?" Check. I could go on and on. I know it's a paranormal, but that is no excuse for the Magical Negro stereotype, people. Enough, already.

After I read the book I was unsurprised to see that on the back cover Handeland says she discovered urban fantasy through Laurell K. Hamilton and wanted to write "just like that." You're almost there, Lori!

I could have given the plot a better rating (3.5 or a 4), because really, it's not bad, and is better than plenty of other urban fantasies I've read recently, sloppy, choppy writing and all. It's the rest of the awful baggage the plot is asked to carry that knocked it down to 1.5 stars.

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